Chapter 36

Under the Stars

Aurelia had been sitting in her favorite chair with a book half open in her lap as she stared off into the flames of the hearth. A small smile tugging at her lips. Elenwen and Rulindil's presence the past couple of days had been unwelcome to say the least, but Aurelia couldn't bring herself to care much anymore. Her thoughts were solely on Ondolemar. The way he held her, how they could laugh and be themselves when they were together. Aurelia's smile grew as her heart fluttered. Does he know how he makes me feel, she wonders, her heart stills a moment-does he feel the same way?

She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. Halbjorn, who had been drifting off to sleep at her feet sits up noticing her shift. He rest his massive head in her lap as he looked up at her curiously.

She scratches behind his ears. "What do you think Halbjorn?"

Halbjorn let out a low rumbling purr. He nudged her hand, demanding more as his tail was swishing across the floor. She chuckled, "you like him too. You just don't want to admit it."

The door to Aurelia's chambers clicked, Halbjorn's head snapped up, his ears perked up. Aurelia turned to see Ondolemar standing in her room.

"Aurelia," he murmured softer than he intended. His eyes were locked on her with a quiet intensity as they traced her face, the curve of her smile, as if committing every line to memory.

Aurelia smiled up at him, as she stood from her chair. "I wasn't expecting you again so soon." She pauses studying him. "Is everything alright?"

Ondolemar exhaled slowly, steadying himself. He stepped closer, closing the gap between them, raising his hand to cup her cheek. His lips found hers in a kiss that was as urgent and unguarded. When he pulled back his hand stayed, brushing his thumb along her jaw. Aurelia leans into his touch as she looks into his eyes searching, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Aurelia," he began as he continued to trace the line of her jaw with his thumb. "You…" he faltered a moment. "You mean everything to me. I do not want our future to be dictated by politics alone. Let's claim something just for ourselves-something that is just ours." He paused, studying her, his gaze softening.

Aurelia tilted her head. "Ours?" She echoed. "That's a bold claim commander."

Ondolemar's lips twitched, "marry me." He brought his hand down to hold hers. "Tonight."

Aurelia's breath caught. "Tonight?" She said softly as she squeezed his hands. "A Thalmor Commander eloping with a Nord princess? Scandalous." She chuckled, smiling warmly up at him. "Of course I will."

Ondolemar let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his grip on her hands tightening just for a moment, as if grounding himself in the reality of her answer. His usually sharp, disciplined composure softened into something Aurelia had rarely seen—relief.

"I was prepared to argue my case," he admitted, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Convince you of the logic in it. That it would be a tactical advantage, that—"

Aurelia grinned up at him, squeezing his hands. "You really thought you had to strategize your way into a yes?"

Ondolemar chuckled, shaking his head. "Old habits die hard." He lifted her hands to his lips, brushing a reverent kiss over her knuckles. "This is just for us. A secret no can know. It must be done where no one will suspect. There's an old forgotten shrine of Talos an hour's ride from Solitude."

Aurelia's eyes widened, she didn't know whether to burst out laughing or to kiss him senseless, "a shrine of Talos? You want us to wed at a shrine of Talos?" Her smile widened. "Ondolemar have you gone mad? A Thalmor Commander eloping with a Nord princess at a shrine of Talos? By the Gods, the bards would have a field day."

He exhaled through his nose, a small smile on his lips. Her happiness was infectious. "It is the last place anyone would expect." He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Just us, under the stars."

Aurelia studied him, her heart still racing. "Just us." She murmured, her voice softening. "I like that."

For a moment, Ondolemar's guard dropped completely—his eyes met hers, a flicker of something unguarded passing through them, as if her words had struck a chord he hadn't braced for. Then, with a sudden, decisive motion, he turned, grabbing her cloak from the hook by the door. He swung it around her shoulders, pulling it snug, his hands lingering on the fabric as he faced her again. "We ride now," he said, his voice low but firm, the Thalmor commander snapping back into place as they quietly left the palace hand in hand. Halbjorn following close behind.

The wind howled as Ondolemars horse sped westward from Solitude. Aurelia clung to him, her cloak whipping behind her. Halbjorn bounded along side them. After an hour of riding they arrived at the shrine. The forgotten shrine of Talos was half buried in snow, though its weathered stone idol stood tall under the starry sky, defiant even in neglect.

The priest of Mara stood shivering by the shrine, a lantern flickering in his hand. His eyes darted to the approaching hoofbeats, widening as Ondolemar dismounted with a sharp grace, Aurelia sliding down beside him. Halbjorn rushed forward planting himself between them and the priest with a low rumbling hoof. The priest flinched, tightening his grip on his lantern.

"Justiciar," he stammered as Ondolemar's tall figure neared. "This-this is highly irregular…. I-I serve Mara, not-"

"Calm yourself," Ondolemar interrupts, his voice smooth, his hand resting briefly on Aurelia's arm as if to steady them both. "You're here for a wedding, not a sermon. Do your part and no one needs to know where it happened."

Aurelia stepped forward, "please." She said, her voice gentle but firm. She offered a reassuring smile. "You have my word nothing will happen to you."

The priest's jaw dropped momentarily. "Your-your highness?" He straightened slightly, still trembling but softer now caught between awe and disbelief. "I… well, if it's you, then… very well." He fumbled with his book of rites, glancing nervously at Ondolemar, then back to her. "By Mara's grace, I suppose."

Aurelia's smile widened as she whispered to ondolemar, "see? A little kindness goes a long way." Halbjorn let out a playful yowl, nudging her legs as if to agree. Ondolemar's lips twitched as he took her hand guiding her to the shrine.

"Just us," he murmured, low and warm for her alone. His eyes—usually so guarded—shone with a quiet, unguarded glow, tracing her face like she was his whole world. The priest began, voice shaky but steadying, as he read the vows.

"We gather here today, under Mara's loving gaze, to bear witness to the union of two souls in eternal companionship. May they journey forth together in this life and the next, in prosperity and poverty, in joy and hardship. Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"

Aurelia's breath hitched. "I do," she said, voice clear and bright, her eyes locked on his. "Now and forever."

Ondolemar's lips curved—a rare, full smile breaking through, softening his sharp edges. "I do," he echoed, his voice low, steady, a vow carved in stone. "Now and forever." He lifted her hands, pressing his forehead to hers for a fleeting heartbeat, his breath warm against her skin.

The priest blinked at them, caught off guard by the tenderness, then pressed on. "Under the authority of Mara, the Divine of Love, I declare this couple to be… wed." His voice wavered, then steadied as the priest pressed on, skipping the rings with a bit of improvisation. "Mara's grace binds you. May her blessing shield you, guide you, in this… union. Go forth as one, under her light." He snapped the book shut, exhaling like he just dodged a blade.

Aurelia laughed, soft and bright, as she looked up to Ondolemar. "Just us," she whispered, echoing him. He tilted her chin up, kissing her slow and deep—snowflakes melting on their lips, a promise sealed in the wild as the stars glittered above them. As he pulled back, his eyes softened, a rare warmth breaking through. "Melda mín," he murmured, the Elvish word slipping out low and reverent, his voice brushing her ear like a secret.

Aurelia's heart skipped, her smile blooming as she caught the meaning—my beloved—his unspoken truth laid bare in a tongue she knew by heart. She leaned into him, her hands sliding up to his chest, eyes glinting with delight. "You've been holding out on me," she teased, voice soft but playful, her breath fogging between them. "Say it again."

Ondolemar froze for a heartbeat, a flush creeping up his sharp cheekbones—faint but unmistakable, a rosy tint against his golden skin in the lantern's glow. He ducked his head slightly, a rare blush from a Thalmor who'd faced down armies, undone by her. "Melda mín," he repeated, quieter, letting it linger as his arms tightened around her, his voice a velvet rumble.

Aurelia's laugh bubbled up, bright and free, and she cupped his face, tracing the blush with her thumbs. "You're blushing, Commander," she whispered, grinning. "I didn't think you had it in you." She pulled him down for another kiss, quick and sweet, sealing his confession under the stars.